TOPIC: THE KNOWLEDGE - BASED SYSTEMS (KBS)

Question # 4:

1. Describe or define KBS.
2. Distinguish KBS from MIS.
3. Illustrate (give examples) how KBS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.


1. Knowledge-based System is a computer system that is programmed to imitate human problem-solving by means of artificial intelligence and reference to a database of knowledge on a particular subject.It is also a systems based on the methods and techniques of Artificial Intelligence.

2. Knowledge-Based Systems focuses on systems that use knowledge-based techniques to support human decision-making, learning and action. Such systems are capable of cooperating with human users and so the quality of support given and the manner of its presentation are important issues. The emphasis of the journal is on the practical significance of such systems in modern computer development and usage. MIS Information systems include systems that are not intended for decision making.Management Information System also is focused in discipline.It is a system based on the database of the organization evolved for the purpose of providing information to the people of the organization.

3. By Knowledge Based System the company can compete to other its because the employee has expertise in his decision making, it provides the company the ability to capture critical business knowledge.This knowledge can be used in existing applications and made available company-wide for decision support.
Companies utilizing knowledge based systems benefit from a greater bottom line, an increase in staff and customer satisfaction. These benefits translate to a competitive edge. Companies that are slow in adopting this technology find their competition outpacing them as they struggle with higher training costs, delayed decisions and bad choices.

TOPIC: THE VIRTUAL OFFICE (VO)



Question # 3:

1. Describe or define VO.

2. Distinguish VO from MIS.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how VO can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

1. Virtual Office is workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies. A virtual office is characterized by the use of teleworkers, telecenters, mobile workers, hot-desking, and hoteling, and promotes the use of virtual teams. A virtual office can increase an organization's flexibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.

2. MIS uses computer science totally in organizations decision making process and use management of an organization's IT infrastructure.VO in term of services they shared office services, which normally includes business address, mail & courier service, phone services, fax services, answering services, web-hosting services, and meeting & conference facilities. MIS are distinct from regular information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems applied in operational activities in the organization.

3. Virtual office is also a common term for an environment that enables a network of co-workers to run a business efficiently by using nothing other than online communication technologies.The company's employee will be able to manage their time effectively if applied the virtual office system.The purpose of a Virtual Office Service is to provide a professional business environment for your organisation. Whether you're a home-worker, start-up or sole trader.Employees in a Virtual Office are free to work without being intruded upon by management. Self-management also cuts down on non-productive work such as repetitive memos, reports, presentations, administrative meetings, etc. which can plague some corporations. Also, employees now have a better opportunity to fully develop their ideas as they envision them with less interference and micro-management. A home office makes it easy to get to work, meaning more work is done over a day since employees can readily access their computing environment. A mobile office extends this high availability to going where the person goes. In addition, the annoyance and cost of the commute is eliminated. Generally, the money saved by not commuting should cover the cost of extra utilities.

TOPIC: THE DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM (DSS)

Question # 3:
1. Describe or define DSS.
2. Distinguish DSS from MIS.
3. Illustrate (give examples) how DSS can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

1. A decision support system (DSS) is a computer program application that analyzes business data and presents it so that users can make business decisions more easily.DSS is extensively used in business and management. It is an "informational application" (to distinguish it from an "operational application" that collects the data in the course of normal business operation).Typical information that a decision support application might gather and present would be:

• Comparative sales figures between one week and the next
• Projected revenue figures based on new product sales assumptions
• The consequences of different decision alternatives, given past experience in a context that is described

A decision support system may present information graphically and may include an expert system or artificial intelligence. It may be aimed at business executives or some other group of knowledge workers.

2. Management Information System a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools for organizing, evaluating and efficiently running their departments.Like Decision Support System MIS include software that helps the managers to their decision making process and also it is a computerized processes that enable the department to run efficiently,supports business and organization to its decision making.MIS are quite similar to DDS but it is distinguished because DDS is an interactive software-based system intended to help decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents, personal knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make decisions.It is a properly-designed information system that used in decision making.

3. DSS can give big help to the company. The company can improve a lot and can compete to others because if the company has DSS system it could be easy for them to decide and easy for them to compile useful information from raw data, documents and personal knowledge.An example of it is bank loan officer verifying the credit of a loan applicant or an engineering firm that has bids on several projects and wants to know if they can be competitive with their costs.The company can improve its competitive advantage by having expedites problem solving of the company itself,the promoted learnings and training of the said company,increasing organizational control and others.The performance of the oganization is more flexible and easy if they apply Decision Support System.

Question # 1 (Finals)

Research one company from the Internet and describe their MIS strategic plan in 1-2 paragraphs. Discuss too the impact of this strategic plan on the company's management, competitors, customers and the company as a whole.

Evaluate how can this strategic plan be applied to any local company in the Philippines. Discuss too the possible effect on the company.

Include your reference.



National Bookstore

Rapid growth and expansion can lay some tough demands on even the most successful enterprises. Such difficulties weren't lost on National Bookstore, the Philippines' biggest retailer of books and office supplies. As well-stocked branches of the store mushroomed around the country in the early 1990s, the resulting higher purchasing costs had to be addressed by integrating its entire supply chain.

As an emerging retail giant, National had been aggressively launching new branches, and even new store concepts, such as Powerbooks and Office One Superstore. Such expansion begged for robust information systems that could provide critical decision support---from tracking company sales at a moment's notice to monitoring inventory to the last item---delivered in time, of course. National thus undertook a strategic I.T. initiative in 1996 to streamline its retail operations and also improve the quality of in-store service. By aligning its I.T. and business objectives, National was ultimately hoping to get a good return on its I.T. investment.

The company initially hired international consultants who evaluated the stores' needs and long-term goals, developed a technology road map and recommended appropriate applications software. Hardware selection was just as judicious in view of universal worries over runaway operating costs, including expenses for managing upgrades and maintenance. NBS chose to address the total-cost-of-ownership issue by standardizing its store automation platform on a single solution from a single vendor.

The consultants examined a number of offerings, before endorsing the proposal of Fujitsu Philippines, Inc. FPI offered to implement front-office automation for the first thirty branches of National Bookstore, using Fujitsu teamPOS point-of-sale terminals, Fujitsu DESK POWER PCs and Fujitsu team servers. Fujitsu's reputation as a high-quality hardware brand, with minimal unplanned downtime and superb after-sales service, helped in closing the deal.

"For sure, Fujitsu's reputation as a superb hardware manufacturer played a big role in clinching the deal. But equally important, FPI was the only proponent who proposed total responsibility for implementation - a full turnkey systems integration project. That was also part of the attraction," recalls Aleth Pusta, manager of the General Business Systems Division at FPI.

The bookstore chain was won over, too, by Fujitsu's plan for integrating front-line data from the stores, with the back office systems at headquarters. The Fujitsu POS runs SoftwearPOS, a software application specifically designed for specialty stores such as a bookstore. This application captures an immense amount of customer transaction data, which can then be transferred to the existing JDA back-office system of NBS.

More important, the same data could now be analyzed by Powerprobe, a Decision-Support-Software tool recommended by FPI. Powerprobe produces both printed reports and colorful user-friendly graphs that highlight sales trends for each branch or each product. In the future, National Bookstore could implement data warehousing projects and customer loyalty schemes, also on the basis of the historical data produced by the Fujitsu POS systems. Fujitsu has come a long way since the start of the National Bookstore project. The initial activity was a "proof-of-concept" demonstration in September 1997. Fujitsu installed its equipment and linked branches to a simulated head office, to show that the system would work. After a successful implementation of the first few branches, FPI set up a ten-man team of software and hardware engineers, under a full-time project manager, dedicated to implementing and supporting more NBS branches. Additional Fujitsu people were made available during peak loads, especially when more than two branches were being simultaneously implemented.

Special attention was given to teaching the branch staff in using the new system. In fact, Fujitsu engineers would remain on stand-by for a few days, to support the newly-implemented branches, and instantly respond to any problems that would arise. Pusta believes that "the quality of our support, including our effort in hand-holding the customer during his learning curve, is what differentiates Fujitsu from other I.T. vendors."

The typical NBS branch is outfitted with two Fujitsu DESKPOWER PCs, one Fujitsu team server each, and 10 teamPOS point-of-sale terminals, plus dial-in facilities to transfer transaction data to the head-office at the end of the day. Of course, bigger branches have more POS systems. As of May 1999, FPI had successfully complied with the contractual requirement to implement the new system in thirty National branches. Discussions are now being held to address the need of the remaining fourteen branches.

"Fujitsu's teamPOS, DESKPOWER and team server lines indeed set the standard for top-of-the-line design and superior quality when it comes to high-performance and reliability," says Ruel D. Magat, MIS Manager of National Bookstore. "More importantly, FPI has delivered an impeccable after-sales support which is very critical to our business. This comprehensive support from FPI transcends the common sales pitch that we usually hear from IT vendors before the sale. We look for a responsible partner, not just an IT supplier who disappears whenever trouble comes. And we find such a partner with Fujitsu."

Challenges:

• National Bookstore had been aggressively launching new branches. Such expansion begged for robust information systems that could provide critical decision support---from tracking company sales at a moment's notice to monitoring inventory to the last item---delivered on time.

Benefits:

• The Fujitsu POS runs SoftwearPOS to capture customer transaction data, which can then be transferred to the existing JDA back-office system of NBS. The same data could be analyzed by Powerprobe, which produces both printed reports and colorful user-friendly graphs to highlight sales trends for each branch or each product.
• In the future, National Bookstore could implement data warehousing projects and customer loyalty schemes based on historical data produced by the Fujitsu POS.

Note:

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers.
Fujitsu is the world's third-largest IT services provider and Japan's market leader.


Reference:

www.fujitsu.com

Midterm Queston # 2

Research 1 company and describe how they protect their company from internet risks.Also, research for possible risks or dangers and/or impacts of internet - related crimes to a company.

2GO an Aboitiz Company

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2GO does not accept ideas, concepts, or techniques for new services or products through its web site. If such information is received, it will not be considered confidential and 2GO will be deemed free to use, communicate and exploit such information in any MANNER IT CHOOSES.

2GO is committed to protect your personal and data privacy ("Data"). To ensure your confidence in supplying personal data related to your identification when using our website, we provide this Privacy Policy outlining our online information practices concerning how data is collected and used.

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We use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol – an industry standard for encryption over the Internet, to protect the Data. When you type in sensitive information such as credit card details, it will be automatically converted into codes before being securely dispatched over the Internet.

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Midterm Question # 1

Research 1 company that makes use of E-commerce. Describe the nature of this company in 1-2 paragraphs.Identify then, how does this company use e-commerce to achieve strategic advantage. Describe the benefits derived from this strategy.

PGS CRAFTS INC.

Was established in 1989 as a manufacturer of handicrafts and shell crafts. We know that raw materials and labor account to 40 to 60 percent of the product cost, so we source our raw materials especially shells directly from the fishermen. Also, we maintain a 500,000 sq. Meter property planted with lots of bamboos, trees, palm trees, coconut trees, vines and bananas to supply our indigenous raw material requirement.

As long as our shells are combined with these indigenous materials, nobody can beat our price. Our R&D staff are constantly making new products to make sure that our customers will have new and interesting products to sell. From a single entity in 1989, we have diversified our business to different fields such as financing, agro industrial operations, consumer products manufacturing, specialty beverage retail and real estate.

Business Type:
Manufacturer

Product/Service:
Raw seashells, shell packs, shell lamp vases and wind chimes, fashion accessories

Trade & Market
Main Markets:
North AmericaSouth AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeEastern AsiaSoutheast AsiaMid EastAfricaOceania

Exporters Benefits
1. COST-EFFECTIVE ONLINE PROMOTION
As an exporter who has joined CITEM’s trade fairs, trade missions and other promotional activities, you get free web exposure for a period of two years. You are entitled to four web pages: your basic company data, and three photos with description of your product choices for export. Surfers can click on the thumbnail versions of the pictures to enlarge them.

2. INTERNET ACCESS BY FOREIGN BUYERS 24 / 7
The 750 million Net global audience can access your virtual business card non-stop during the day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

3. FREE LINK TO THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE
With the linkage to your own website, you are able to provide more information on your firm. Your website serves as an online brochure of your products and services, your competitive edge, and your management team.

4. REGULAR CHANGE OF PRODUCT PHOTOS
If you need to introduce a new product to the market, all you have to do is send us the new product shot in jpeg format via e-mail to mailto:col@citem.com.ph with the standard product description. You are entitled to a maximum of three product photo changes per year.

5. REGULAR ACCESS TO BUYER INQUIRIES
The CITEM Trade Opportunities Program (CTOP) is the twin e-Business Match Program of Catalog Online (COL).This is a year-round buyer inquiry service. Catalog Online exporters will regularly receive a listing of CTOP buyers by e-mail.

6. EXCERPTS OF SELECTED ARTICLES FROM CITEM’s LIBRARY
AND RESOURCE CENTER
CITEM’s Library and Resource Center has a wealth of trade information materials. A Library Acquisitions Report is available at http://www.citem.com.ph/, and choice articles can be read or downloaded via the password to be issued exclusively to Catalog Online exporters.


Buyers Benefits

1. REFERRAL to CITEM’s DATABASE of EXPORTERS
You will be referred to manufacturers who can supply your required products or services

2. ASSISTANCE in the SEARCH for ADDITIONAL EXPORTERS
Should you need products or services other than those carried by Catalog Online (COL) exporters, you will be provided with selected suppliers through the CITEM Trade Opportunities Program (CTOP), the twin e-Business Match Program of the COL.

3. CITEM PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
You will recieve promotional materials on CITEM-organized events.

4. PRE-ARRANGED BUSINESS MEETINGS and FACTORY VISITS
When visiting the Philippines, you may request us to arrange your business meetings and factory visits with Catalog Online exporters, free of charge.

5. REFERRAL to PROPER AGENCIES and SERVICE PROVIDERS
We can link you to other authorities and organizations involved in practical trade operations and trade promotion.

6. ASSISTANCE in TRANSACTIONS and CONCERNS
We can follow up your transactions, or we can serve as a mediator on issues to be settled with Catalog Online exporters.

Question # 6

Research one multinational corporation like Procter and Gamble, Unilever, IBM, Microsoft, Honda and etc. Identify and describe how their subsidiaries are managed and how technology has assisted them in their corporate and/or local operations. Further, identify one Philippine company that has gone worldwide (eg. Jollibee and BENCH) and describe their strategies. Evaluate the strategies of foreign companies with that of Philippine corporations.


Hitachi Ltd.

History

Hitachi was founded in 1910 as an electrical repair shop. Today, it is one of the leading manufacturers in new technology.
Hitachi Works

Hitachi Works is the oldest member of the Hitachi Group and consists of three factories: Kaigan, Yamatte, and Rinkai Works. Yamatte Works, the oldest of the three factories, was founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira as an electrical equipment repair and manufacturing facility. This facility was named Hitachi, and is regarded as the ancestral home of Hitachi, Ltd.
Many management trainees intern at Hitachi Works before being permanently assigned to other Hitachi divisions. Senior management personnel are often participants in rotations at Hitachi Works for a few years as their career develops towards eventual head office stature. As a result, many of the senior managers of Hitachi Ltd have passed through Hitachi Works.
Spin-off entities from Hitachi Works include Hitachi Cable (1956) and Hitachi Canadian Industries (1988).
In 2007, Hitachi won the Investment in People Award, Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards from Enterprise Asia, a regional NGO based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for their continued efforts in building human talents.


In November 2006, Hitachi announced a new corporate strategy to promote collaborative creation and profits. The strategy focuses on a market-oriented approach with profit creation as the basic policy. The aim is to establish a structure that consistently generates profits. The company has taken few initiatives such as the implementation of fully FIV (Future Inspiration Value) based management.
Scope of this report
Contains corporate strategy, value chain presence and SWOT Analysis
Provides detailed business description, segment analysis, 5-year financial trends, key products and key competitors
Includes information on suppliers/ partners, shareholding structure and key employees with biographies
Research and analysis highlights
Hitachi and the Hitachi Group are part of a corporate group of 1,100 companies, including 450 consolidated subsidiaries and 79 affiliated companies in Japan, and 484 subsidiaries and 86 affiliated companies outside Japan.
The company has a diversified product mix ranging from electricity generation systems to consumer products and electronic devices.Hitachi’s widespread customer base in domestic and overseas markets encompasses large industrial companies, financial institutions, utilities, governments and individual customers.
The Hitachi Group promotes innovation with an emphasis on profitability as one of its basic strategies.To increase the efficiency of group management the company is engaged in implementing a specific plan to reduce the number of consolidated subsidiaries to 700 by restructuring its businesses.
Key reasons to read this report
Access all the important information and analysis on the company in a single report
Understand company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats along with business strategy and value chain
Gain access to company’s adjusted five year financial data along with key ratios and market capitalization.

For Business

Hitachi Ltd. introduce wide array of IT and security products, digital devices and parts, and power and industrial services.

Information Technology

Hitachi responds to business needs with high added-value solutions and our collective group strength.
Our goal is an enriched society with ubiquitous information. Hitachi contributes to the development of information lifelines by offering reliable, high-performance advanced platform technologies and solutions.

Security

Hitachi is ensuring a sense of security and safety in wide range of fields from Information System Security to Physical Security.